FS-USA/Mega Marbles was named the official sponsor of The Toy and Miniature Museum‘s attempt to break a Guinness World Record—the World’s Largest Marble Tournament—on June 8 in Kansas City, MO. Players can learn to play the marble game of Ringer, a simple marble game that teaches cooperation, hand-eye coordination, and sportmanship, and compete for the grand prize. All participants earn a free bag of Mega Marbles and complimentary admission at the museum for the day.

The museum won the record for the World’s Largest Marble Tournament with 677 participants in 2008, but in 2010 the record was overtaken by a new record of 876 plays. Particpants of all ages are welcome, and families, as well as groups, are invited to enjoy the day. Marble rings will be set up on the floor and on tables, so it is recommended that participants be able to kneel or stand for 30 minutes. Rich Maxwell, author of Collecting Marbles: A Beginner’s Guide and Let’s Play Marbles: Learn to Shoot the Best Marbles Games will be the official tournament witness.

Participants who arrive between 9 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. can learn to play marbles before the event begins. The tournament will be located at Swinney Recreation Center on UMKC’s campus. Contact Tony Julo at (816) 235-8009 or juloa@umkc.edu to register.

New Products

Marvel’s Ant-Man is still going strong in theaters, and so is Disney Consumer Products’ (DCP) and Marvel‘s Ant-Man product collection. The lineup includes costumes, construction sets, action figures, and more from licensees such as Hasbro, LEGO, Funko, Hot Wheels, Rubie’s Costume Co., and Uncle Milton.

Skechers USA Inc. has partnered with Jakks Pacific Inc. to launch a new line of dolls based on Skechers’ popular Twinkle Toes character. The initial launch includes four unique dolls that stand 6.5 inches in height, and are dressed in colorful, fashion-forward outfits and light-up Skechers Twinkle Toes shoes.

LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. will release three new preschool toys—the Number Lovin’ Oven and Scout’s Build & Discover Tool Set, which offer pretend play experiences that teach math and measurement, respectively—and the Word Whammer, a phonics game that prepares children for kindergarten in an active way.

Now available from VTech, Flipsies combine traditional role play with collectible dolls and accessories, as well as VTech’s proprietary MagicPoint interactive technology. The line offers a variety of ways to play and has eight introductory themes that encourage girls to be anything they want to be, whether it’s a doctor, a marine biologist, a teacher, [...]

Merchantwise, ITV Studios Global Entertainment’s appointed licensing agency in Australia, has announced strong toy and DVD sales, as well as a host of new licensing and retail partners, for the TV series Thunderbirds Are Go in Australia.